Divination box



Aug. 19; 1947. H. G. SUNDHEiM,' J R 2,425,965

DIVINATION BOX I Filed June 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 19, 1947 H. G. SUNDHEIM, JR

DIVINATION BOX 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June '25, 1945 Harry G-JZuzJ/n/Irz Jr.

zzvmvroze BY v w L46 W v Patented Aug. 19, 194? UNITED STATES 2 Claims.

This invention relates to magic and the like. More specifically, it relates to the provision of a magic effect, illustrated as follows:

The performer shows a box having numbers such as the numbers on a clock, from one to twelve, or any other desired arrangement of numbers or letters.

The box also has a hand, and the performer requests a spectator to secretly turn the hand to any number or letter and then to close the lid upon the box and return it to the magician.

The magician is promptly able to tell without opening the box to what number the hand is turned.

The spectator is unable to duplicate this.

In magic this is known as a divination eifect, and the device used is known as a divination box, and it is well known that a successful device of this kind may provide entertainment of the most puzzling and interesting type and considerable monetary compensation.

How is it done? No one can tell without knowing the secret. The solution will be presented hereafter and we believe involves a highly ingenious conception and arrangement, which can be appreciated best by those who have tried and failed before having it explained.

In the following drawings,

Fig. l is a perspective view of the device.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view.

Fig. 4 is a view of the bottom of the inner box.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in detail, which I have illustrated the preferred form of my invention, I have shown a box having an upper face A mounted slightly below the top of the box on the inside, with numbers or letters marked thereon in a clockwise manner.

I have also shown a hand 5 apertured as at 6 for the reception of a post '4, having a rounded twirling knob 8.

The upper face t is likewise apertured as at 9 to also receive said post 1.

A washer or disc as is also mounted around said post 1.

Located inside said box is a second box, having a top H2.

The inner box has sides I l and a bottom l5.

Suitably mounted in the box are a pair of batteries Iii and ii.

A wire it leads from battery ii to a lamp i9, from which a wire 2e leads to a screw post 2! in the bottom l5.

From the battery it a wire 22 extends to another screw post 23, also in the bottom l5 of the inner box.

The light is mounted in a socket in a bracket I adjacent an aperture 25, which registers with the light it.

The inner box and the aforesaid parts within the inner box are controlled by the twirling knob B, so that when the knob is turned, the inner box the light and the aperture will turn with it.

Located in the inside of the outer box, on the bottom 28, is a contact strip 27, which when pressed against the screw posts or terminals 2! and 23, will complete a circuit, so as to light the lamp R9.

The bottom 28 of the outer box has apertures so.

These apertures are adapted to register with the aperture 25 when the same is moved circularly. as will more fully hereinafter appear.

The bottom 23 is covered by a cloth or other suitable covering 3%] in such a manner that the apertures 2Q are not visible ordinarily.

Fig. 4 illustrates the bottom of the inner box, showing the screw posts or terminals 2! and 23 and the aperture 26.

The operation may be as follows:

The box preferably has a catch lock of any suitable type.

After the hand has been turned and the lid has been locked on the box the box is handed to the magician.

In order to mislead and conceal the effect from the spectator, the magician studies various sides and parts of the box which are immaterial. He then presses the center of the bottom of the box and presses the plate 2'5 against the screw posts 2i and 23, so as to make a circuit to light the lamp iii.

If the hand has been properly lined up with one of the figures, the light will show through the opening 25 and through one of the apertures 29. The place where the light appears will indicate to the magician the place to which the hand was turned, although the appearance of the light may only be very faint and short in time.

The operation will be done very casually as before, and the magician will continue to examine a few other irrelevant sides, or top or bottom of The screw posts 2| and 23 may be adjusted to suit either upwardly or downwardly.- By this means adjustment may be made so that contact will be made with the post terminals for a suitable amount of pressure. The adjustment may be made by means of the nuts shown on the screw posts.

While I have illustrated and described the pre ferred form of construction for carrying my invention into efiect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a magic effect, a container having a series of marks and an indicator adapted to be moved to indicate one of said marks, means for concealing said marks and said indicating means and means for showing in such concealed condition the marks to which said indicating means has been moved.

2. In a magic effect, a container having a series of marksand an indicator adapted to be moved p to indicate one of said marks, means for concealing said marks and said indicating means and means for showing in such concealed condition the marks to which said indicating means has been moved, said means including a lamp and battery.

, HARRY G. SUNDHEIM, JR. 

